Vaccine Types

Meningococcal

What is it?

Meningococcal disease is best known as a leading cause of bacterial meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal disease also causes widespread blood infection, or sepsis.

Meningococcal disease is spread by coming in contact with infected bodily fluids including coughing, sneezing, sharing drinks or kissing. Meningococcal disease is not as contagious as common infections, such as cold or flu, because the bacteria cannot live long outside the body.

Why is it important?

Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but babies under age one and adolescents between the ages of 16 and 21 are at higher risk of contracting the illness (See graph.)

Meningococcal disease is very serious. About 2,600 people get meningococcal disease each year in the U.S. Ten to five percent of these people die even with antibiotic treatment. Of those who live, another 11% to 19% lose their arms or legs, become deaf, have problems with their nervous systems, become intellectually disabled, or suffer seizures or strokes.

What is Meningitis?

A recent meningitis outbreak in Colorado has left Coloradans and parents wondering what meningitis is, and how we can prevent meningitis in children, adolescents and adults.

Bacterial meningitis, or meningococcal meningitis, although rare, is the second most common form of meningitis. It is usually serious, and can be fatal if not treated quickly.

Bacterial meningitis is typically caused by one of three types of bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Neisseria meningitidis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Before the 1990's, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the leading cause of bacterical meningitis. Fortunately, routine Hib vaccination has greatly reduced the number of Hib cases and related bacterial meningitis infections. The two leading causes of bacterial meningitis today are Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. There are two types of vaccines available in the United States that protect against Neisseria meningitidis: meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine and meningococcal conjugate vaccine.

Viral meningitis, also called aseptic meningitis, is the most common form of meningitis. Viral meningitis is typically mild and is rarely fatal in persons with healthy immune systems. Viral meningitis is usually caused by enteroviruses, but can also result from other viral infections including mumps, herpes virus, varicella-zoster (chickenpox and shingles), measles and influenza. Currently, there is no vaccine to protect against viral meningitis; however, some vaccines on the recommended childhood schedule, such as MMR and varicella-zoster, can help protect against infections that may lead to viral meningitis.

Vaccine Recommendations

Meningococcal vaccines protect against most types of meningitis, but they do not prevent all cases.

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for people 11 – 54 years of age, as well as certain high-risk children from ages nine months through ten years. Adolescents should receive the first dose at 11 or 12 years of age, with a booster at age 16 to 18 years.

The CDC also recommends that high-risk adults, including college freshmen living in a dormitory, receive a meningococcal vaccine.

Side Effects

The risk of the meningococcal vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

As many as half the people who get meningococcal vaccines have mild side effects, such as redness or pain where the shot was given. A small percentage of people who receive the vaccine develop a fever.

Rubella

Tetanus

Tetanus (Lockjaw) is a bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and causes painful tightening of the muscles all over the body. It is spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. [+] more

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease. Pertussis causes violent coughing spells that make it hard to eat, drink or breathe, and is especially severe in young infants. [+] more

Chickenpox

Varicella (Chickenpox) is a highly contagious viral infection characterized by a blistering rash that can cover the entire body. Complications include skin infections, pneumonia and brain swelling. [+] more

Hib

HPV

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. About 40 types of HPV can infect the genital areas of males and females. A few types can lead to cervical and other cancers. [+] more

As a child caregiver, I am so thankful for immunizations. Children share everything! All the kids in my care are fully vaccinated, which means we can focus on the positive things -- learning, growing, playing, and having fun!